The Negros Occidental provincial government joined millions of people across the globe who switched off lights for an hour Saturday evening, March 25, “to show that we are not only aware of the gravity of climate change and its impact on our lives, our existence, and our planet, but we are also willing and prepared to do our active part to change the course of environmental destruction due to climate change”, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The provincial government held its “Biggest Hour for Earth” rites at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City.
The Bacolod City, Cadiz City and San Carlos City governments also joined Earth Hour by switching off their lights.
Lacson said “the atypical rains of the past months and the rise of temperature these days need no further explanation. Climate change is here, and it is getting worse”.
“By this time, I think we are all in agreement of the urgency of the state of our environment and the fact that most of the aggravations done to our environment are hugely attributable to human activities,” he said.
The lost lives, livelihoods, homes, businesses, and millions in emergency services and disaster relief are the costs of intentional, unintentional, and neglectful behaviors towards the environment, Lacson said.
“We all must recognize our part in causing the problem and accept the responsibility to do what needs to be done,” he said.
“Climate change is a problem of global proportion, but reducing its adverse impacts must be done locally,” Lacson said, as he urged to “protect our habitat, not only for ourselves, but most importantly, for our children, and the generations next”.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also issued a call for Bacolodnons to join Earth Hour as “a symbol of our commitment to our planet”.
Lights at the Bacolod City Government Center, old City Hall and plaza were turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, he said.
Mayor Salvador Escalante said the Cadiz City government also joined Earth Hour with at an activity at the city park “to remind everyone of the commitment we should have towards protecting the planet”.
Mayor Renato Gustilo also led Earth Hour rites at the San Carlos City Hall grounds.
Non-essential lights at the city hall, streets, and other landmarks were turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and improvised colorful lamps made of recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and LED lights lit the darkness in San Carlos.*